Zhongyuan Dahua Adopts Shell's New Gasification Method Using CO2 in 500,000-Ton Coal-to-Methanol Facility

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Zhongyuan Dahua Group Limited (Henan) has announced that the Shell (NYSE:RDS.A) (The Hague, The Netherlands) coal-gasification unit at the company's 500,000-ton-per-year coal-to-methanol conversion facility has begun to receive carbon dioxide (CO2) feed. According to Zhongyuan Dahua officials, the unit is one of the first of its kind to use CO2 as a gasifying agent. At full capacity, the unit will produce 200 tons of methanol per day.

The method of using CO2 as a gasifying agent in coal gasification is Shell's latest patented technology developed to meet the needs of coal-to-methanol conversion in China. Traditionally, Shell's gasification units utilize nitrogen in the coal-gasification process to transport a dense stream of coal into the gasifying furnace. The mixed gas produced from this process is suitable for power generation and the production of synthetic ammonia. Because of the large amount of nitrogen, this process is not seen as suitable for coal-to-methanol conversion.

To ensure the success of the Zhongyuan Dahua project, the company designed a pressurizing and depressurizing testing facility for CO2 and nitrogen, using the high-pressure CO2 from the synthetic ammonia urea production unit. By comparing the test results, the operation was modified, and a potential buildup of coal deposits was avoided. The unit's energy efficiency was also improved.

Based on operation time, technicians analyzed Shell's design plan and altered the number of compressors required in the process from the original three large-scale reciprocating compressors to one radial compressor and a small reciprocating nitrogen compressor. This alteration not only improved the unit's operational reliability but also reduced the overall cost by $1.47 million.

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